March 30, 2019

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Executive Salaries at AIPAC

by Anne Paddock

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is a 501 (c) (4) based in Washington, DC whose mission is to “strengthen, protect, and promote the US Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security of Israel and the US.” Although AIPAC is exempt from taxes, donations to AIPAC are not tax deductible (although they may be tax deductible as trade or business expenses) because the organization is a social welfare organization that can engage in unlimited lobbying (this is key).

The IRS Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2016 reports AIPAC collected $106 million and spent $104 million (primarily on conferences, conventions, and meetings and compensation). Unspent funds were added to fund assets which had a net fund balance (think savings account) of $69 million at year-end.

AIPAC reported having 465 employees who were compensated $34 million which equates to an average compensation of $73,000. 121 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation. The 10 most highly compensated individuals were reported to be:

$761,487: Howard Kohr, Chief Executive Officer

$709,070: Richard FIshman, Vice Chief Executive Officer

$576,509: Arne Christenson, Managing Director- Policy and Politics

$560,397: Elliot Brandt, Managing Director Development

$529,692: Michael Sachs, Regional Director – Northeast

$505,144: Brian Shankman, Director – Reg Affairs and Development

$490,081: Chrystal Kern, Managing Director and CFO

$472,445: Robert Bassin, Director – Political Affairs

$438,918: Brad Gordon, Director – Policy and Gov’t Affairs

$434,117: Marvin Feuer, Director – Policy and Gov’t Affairs

As illustrated above, 9 out of the 10 most highly compensated employees are male while 1 is a female (and she is 7th on the list).

In reference to the above highly compensated employees, the IRS Form 990 reports:

Howard Kohr received $222,546 and Richard Fishman $91,156 from a non-qualified retirement plan. In addition, Elliot Brandt, Michael Sachs, Rob Bassin, Marvin Feuer, Brad Gordon, and Brian Shankman each received $18,000 from the non-qualified retirement plan. The organization established a 457 (f) supplemental executive retirement plan for the benefit of certain executives. $313,702 was expensed during the year ending September 30, 2016. As of September 30, 2016, AIPAC had an obligation of approximately $1.5 million on the balance sheet as accrued compensation. AIPAC’s contributions to the deferred contribution plan were $360,000 ($18,000 per participant) for the year ending September 30, 2106.

AIPAC provided a $60,000 loan to Chrystal Kern to purchase property (possibly a down payment?), the balance of which is $12,000.

AIPAC provided a $100,000 loan to Brian Shankman to purchase property (possibly a down payment?), the balance of which is $45,712.